Cease order stays against contractor

THE cease-and-desist order (CDO) issued against Megawide Construction Corp., stays until “it can ensure the safety of the residents near the wall,” Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said yesterday.

The mayor and City Engr. Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez inspected the site in barangay Apas where a perimeter wall collapsed on five houses Saturday evening.

Enriquez handed over the CDO which suspends all work except for rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall.

Megawide is the contractor of a BPO complex, a joint venture project of Filinvest Land Inc. (Filinvest) and the Cebu Provincial Government in barangay Apas.

Rama said he will visit the site again today with city structural consultant Ariel dela Cruz to check on the progress of the wall repair.

Megawide manager Manuel Melchor Bongulto said they will install a framed metal stilt in the hollow area to prevent the collapse of the houses.

He said they will rebuild the retaining wall within a month. Jose Santino S. Bunachita